Written Answers Nos. 270-289
270. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the annual budget for the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority in 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023; the projected budget for 2024; how much of this budget annually is funded through the European Maritime Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund; how much is funded directly from the Exchequer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5844/24]
View answerThe Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) is an independent regulatory agency as set down in the Sea-Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act 2006.
The annual budget allocation enables the SFPA to continue to meet its National and EU obligations as Ireland's Competent Authority for the enforcement of sea fisheries and seafood safety law.
The annual budget details for the SFPA, as per the Revised Book of Estimates, for the period 2019-2024 are as follows:
|
- |
Revised Book of Estimates Allocation |
Core/ exchequer |
EMFF*/EMFAF |
Total |
|
2019 |
€13,795,000 |
€13,795,000 |
€2,700,000* |
€16,495,000 |
|
2020 |
€17,361,000 |
€17,361,000 |
€2,900,000* |
€20,261,000 |
|
2021 |
€24,810,000 |
€19,002,000 |
€5,808,000 |
€24,810,000 |
|
2022 |
€26,257,000 |
€20,722,000 |
€5,535,000 |
€26,257,000 |
|
2023 |
€28,081,000 |
€22,380,000 |
€5,701,000 |
€28,081,000 |
|
2024 |
€27,414,000 |
€22,575, 000 |
€4,839,000 |
€27,414,000 |
*In 2019 and 2020, the allocations in relation to the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF), which covered the period 2014 to 2020, were managed by the Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine and so were not included in the allocation for the SFPA as listed in the Revised Book of Estimates.
The successor to the EMFF, the European Maritime Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) runs from 2021 to 2027. From 2021 onwards, the EMFAF allocation has been included in the allocation for the SFPA as listed in the Revised Book of Estimates.
271. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a 2023 eco payment will issue to a person in County Kerry (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5890/24]
View answerMy Department received two applications for the person named and a related person in 2023. One application was received under the herd number mentioned and a second duplicate application was received under a temporary reference number. Department colleagues have now reconciled both applications received to ensure that the Eco-Scheme application can now be processed. Payment will issue shortly.
272. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the delayed actions that his Department is leading on as part of the Climate Action Plan 2023; the proportion that are have been completed; the proportion that are delayed; if any are still outstanding from the 2021 Climate Action Plan; the expected timeline for delivery for all delayed actions; the estimated emissions impact of delayed actions; the impact on carbon budgets; what measures he is taking to mitigate these impacts and make up any possible shortfalls; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5904/24]
View answerAs part of the governance and oversight of the Climate Action Plan process, the Department of An Taoiseach publish, on a quarterly basis, progress reports on the status of the actions within the Climate Action Plan (CAP) for 2021 and 2023.
These reports are available online: www.gov.ie/en/publication/55fde-climate-action-important-publications
All actions assigned to the agriculture sector under CAP21 were completed and/or carried over to the CAP23. Similarly, the draft CAP24 which was published on December 20 2023 will build on the actions of CAP23 and-or carry forward any delayed actions. These actions will be progressed and monitored throughout the course of CAP24 as per previous plans.
Currently, five actions for the Agriculture sector are incomplete as of Q4 2023 and these will be included in the CAP24 and will be prioritised for completion as soon as possible. It is not possible to assign a specific abatement to these actions.
The 25% sectoral emission ceiling set for the agriculture sector is a challenging target and will require scientific and technological advancements, including reducing chemical nitrogen usage and changing fertiliser type; providing voluntary diversification options for farmers, and improving the environmental dividends from our farmed land. These measures are supported by a range of actions, setting out a viable pathway towards reaching Agriculture’s target.
The actions set out in the CAP are supported through enhanced targeted supports set out in Ireland’s Common Agricultural Policy Strategic Plan (CSP 2023-2027) under the remit of schemes such as Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS), Agri-Climate Rural Environmental Scheme (ACRES), Organic Farming Scheme (OFS), Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme (SCEP), Protein Aid Scheme, Tillage Incentive Scheme (TIS) and Straw Incorporation Scheme. The CAP Strategic Plan has seen a significant increase in national co-funding, bringing the total budget to almost €10 billion.
Ireland is progressing our climate commitments with respect to reduced management intensity on soils and afforestation, supported by DAFM’s investment in the establishment of a ‘National Agricultural Soil Carbon Observatory’. The Irish Government is will investing €1.3 billion in Irish forestry over the next five years. The National Forestry Programme for 2023 to 2027 will see an increase in forestry premiums of between 46% and 66%.
Mitigating agricultural emissions will require a sustained research effort. DAFM is supporting a number of research projects and initiatives to develop the necessary technologies to facilitate the move to a more sustainable agricultural sector with reduced emissions. DAFM has provided funding of €8m to 12 Methane related research projects over the last 5 years. The “METH-ABATE” project (funded by DAFM) is looking at the development and validation of novel technologies to reduce methane emissions from pasture based Irish agricultural systems.
This targeted, multifaceted approach will set Ireland on a positive trajectory in the context of the Agricultural carbon budget.
273. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a young farmer payment will issue to persons (details supplied). [5908/24]
View answerThe persons named submitted applications to my Department under the 2023 Transfer of Entitlements, the Complementary Income Support for Young Farmers and also under the young farmer category of the National Reserve.
My Department is working to finalise the processing of these applications as soon as possible. The persons named will be notified of the outcome when this process is completed.
274. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of herd owners who were on a list of farmers (details supplied) within the Shannon Callows who had not been issued with an original letter from the Department for the Shannon Callows flooding scheme; that have now been issued with such a letter; if he will confirm that all farmers on that list have been contacted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5949/24]
View answerFollowing exceptional flooding in the Shannon Callows during summer 2023, on 7 November 2023, I announced the launch of the Shannon Callows Flood Scheme. The aim of the scheme is to support farmers who have lost fodder due to flooding in the region during summer 2023. I have allocated funding of approximately €800,000 which will allow for a payment rate of up to €325 per hectare. This is for LPIS parcels in the Shannon Callows Special Area of Conservation (SAC) impacted as determined by my Department's Earth Observation team, utilising the Area Monitoring System, and which were claimed by farmers on their 2023 Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS) application.
My Department has contacted the farmers that the Earth Observation team, utilising the Area Monitoring System, identified as having been impacted by the flooding, providing them with a simple application form for them to sign and return if they wish to apply for the support. Farmers are asked to confirm they have lost fodder as a result of the exceptional flooding in order to receive payment.
A total of 230 expression of interest letters including the application form were issued on the 17 November 2023 and a further 47 expression of interest letters including the application form issued on the 7 December 2023, with 268 out of 277 paid as of 06 February 2024.
There were 85 farmers in the letter referred to by the Deputy. 13 of these received invitation letters from DAFM to participate in the scheme. 51 were in the analysis group, but did not receive an application form due to issues like having less than 1ha eligible, or not having flooding detected on enough occasions in the period. A further 21 had lands outside the Shannon Callows SAC and so were not eligible and did not receive an application form.
Where a farmer has not been contacted by the Department regarding the Shannon Callows Flood Scheme, they are not considered to have been eligible based on the analysis of the flooding data during the period 2 July 2023 to 29 September 2023.
For those who did not receive an application form the procedure for seeking an internal review, by the herdowner or their nominated or authorised agent, is available online in the Shannon Callows Flood Scheme Terms and Conditions under section 9 at gov.ie - Shannon Callows Flood Scheme 2023 (www.gov.ie).
275. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers who have sought a review or appeal under the Shannon Callows flooding scheme because they have not been paid on the full acreage of lands flooded, subject to the 15 hectare cap; the number of these which have been determined by the Department; the number issued with a revised payment; if he will outline what additional measures he intends to employ to resolve outstanding disputes under the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5950/24]
View answerFollowing exceptional flooding in the Shannon Callows during summer 2023, on 7 November 2023, I announced the launch of the Shannon Callows Flood Scheme. The aim of the scheme is to support farmers who have lost fodder due to flooding in the region during summer 2023. I have allocated funding of approximately €800,000 which will allow for a payment rate of up to €325 per hectare for LPIS parcels in the Shannon Callows Special Area of Conservation (SAC) impacted as determined by my Department's Area Monitoring System and which were claimed by farmers on their 2023 Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS) application.
My Department have contacted the farmers that the Area Monitoring System has identified as having been impacted by the flooding, providing them with a simple application form for them to sign and return if they wish to apply for the support. Farmers are asked to confirm they have lost fodder as a result of the exceptional flooding in order to receive payment.
A total of 230 expression of interest letters including the application form were issued on the 17 November 2023 and a further 47 expression of interest letters including the application form issued on the 7 December 2023, with 268 out of 277 paid as of 06 February 2024.
For those who did not receive an application form, the procedure for seeking an internal review, by the herdowner or their nominated or authorised agent, is available online in the Shannon Callows Flood Scheme Terms and Conditions under section 9 at gov.ie - Shannon Callows Flood Scheme 2023 (www.gov.ie)
To date, 64 requests for review have been received from farmers who were not identified by DAFM as having lands which were flooded in late summer 2023 in the Shannon Callows SAC. My officials are currently processing these requests and a decision on the outcome of these reviews will shortly issue to the herdowners concerned.
276. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 494 of 23 January 2024; if he would overlay the sentinel 1 survey data with the OPW flood maps of the Shannon Callows to finally resolve disputes with regard to the scale of summer flooding due to grass cover; or alternatively if he would apply winter sentinel 1 survey data at the same water level at Banagher that existed during the reference period for the Shannon Callows flooding scheme which would provide for a better reflection of the scale of flood on farmland due to the fact that it is without visible growing meadow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5951/24]
View answerFollowing exceptional flooding in the Shannon Callows during summer 2023, on 7 November 2023, I announced the launch of the Shannon Callows Flood Scheme. The aim of the scheme is to support farmers who have lost fodder due to flooding in the region during summer 2023. I have allocated funding of approximately €800,000 which will allow for a payment rate of up to €325 per hectare. This is for LPIS parcels in the Shannon Callows Special Area of Conservation (SAC) impacted as determined by my Department's Earth Observation team, utilising the Area Monitoring System, and which were claimed by farmers on their 2023 Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS) application.
My Department contacted the farmers that the Earth Observation team, utilising the Area Monitoring System, identified as having been impacted by the flooding and provided them with a simple application form to sign and return if they wished to apply for the support.
Farmers are asked to confirm they have lost fodder as a result of the exceptional flooding in order to receive payment.
Using Copernicus Sentinel satellite data to identify those most impacted represents the most appropriate mechanism to verify the baseline criteria required to establish eligibility for the scheme and to ensure much needed funds are received by farmers in a prompt manner. Imagery captured by the Copernicus Sentinel satellites, utilising a flooding marker, provides clear identification of flooding in the Shannon Callows SAC between 02 July 2023 and the 29 September 2023.
The OPW flood maps are based on historical flooding events and as such are insufficient for the purposes of confirming flooding of LPIS parcels within the Shannon Callows SAC during the timeframe of 02 July 2023 to 29 September 2023.
Similarly, using winter Sentinel 1 survey data does not confirm flooding of parcels within the Shannon Callows SAC during the timeframe of 02 July 2023 to 29 September 2023, but rather confirms that these lands are subject to flood events, with seasonal flooding being a feature of the Shannon Callows.
277. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a payment under the ECO scheme will issue to a farmer in County Galway (details supplied); the reason for the delay in issuing said payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5959/24]
View answerMy Department has reviewed the BISS application for herd G1204067. There was a delay with processing the application due to a verification of commonage lands. The application has now been cleared and payment will issue shortly.
278. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a payment under ACRES will be issued to a farmer in County Galway (details supplied); the reason for the delay in issuing said payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5995/24]
View answerThe person named is among those in the ACRES Co-operation Project stream awaiting payments.
The level of environmental ambition within ACRES and the scaling up of a results-based system brings with it many opportunities for farmers, but is not without its challenges. ACRES Co-operation Project payments are more complex to administer and work is ongoing in this regard, with every effort being made to deliver payments as quickly as possible, including to the person named.
279. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when an urgent assessment of need will be facilitated in the case of the son of a person (details supplied) whose application for same was submitted two years ago; when the application will be granted for the assessment of need to take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5788/24]
View answer280. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when appropriate supports will be provided to the son of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5791/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 279 and 280 together.
As these questions refer to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
The Deputy will be aware that due to the ongoing industrial action by FÓRSA administrative and management grade staff in the HSE (which commenced on 6 October, 2023), delays remain in receiving answers to parliamentary questions and ministerial representations. The HSE has been engaged with Fórsa through the auspices of the WRC in an effort to resolve the dispute but a resolution has not been reached as of yet.
281. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth what discussions he has had with his counterpart in the Department of Social Protection to realise recommendation 41.2 of Young Ireland: the National Policy Framework for Children and Young People (0-24) 2023-2028 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5796/24]
View answerI am aware that eligibility for the State Pension (Contributory) is an area of genuine concern for foster carers.
The Deputy may be aware that the Department of Social Protection has some measures available to recognise caring periods outside of paid employment in the calculation of a State Pension payment. Credit for Home Caring Periods may be awarded to a maximum of 20 years and foster carers are entitled to the benefits of this scheme, on the same basis as other carers, once certain qualifying criteria are met.
Further, the Report of the Pensions Commission contains a recommendation in respect of long-term carers. Specifically, the Commission recommends that long-term carers who care for incapacitated dependents (defined as caring for more than 20 years) should be given access to the State Pension (Contributory) by having retrospective contributions paid for them by the Exchequer when approaching pension age for any gaps in their contribution history arising from caring. I can advise that officials from my Department have been engaging with their counterparts in the Department of Social Protection on this issue. While I understand that foster carers who care for an incapacitated dependent and meet the required eligibility criteria will be eligible in respect of this measure, my officials are continuing to engage with the Department of Social Protection in relation to the specific definitions in the context of any potential broader application to foster children more generally.
As you have noted, the Young Ireland National Policy Framework for Children and Young People 2023 - 2028, which was launched by my Department in November 2023, includes a related action in respect of State pension eligibility for foster carers. Action 41.2 commits the Department of Social Protection to:
“Consider the credits available to foster carers for periods of time spent caring with a view to supporting eligibility for the State Pension (Contributory), and also include foster carers within the proposed changes to attribute contributions for periods of long-term care (over 20 years) when caring for an incapacitated dependent.”
My Department has not to date received a request from the Department of Social Protection to engage in discussions in relation to this commitment. However, it should be noted that the timeline specified for this commitment is 2026.
I can assure the Deputy that my officials and I will continue to work closely with Government colleagues seeking to improve foster carers eligibility in respect of the State Pension (Contributory) and to progress the commitments contained within the Young Ireland National Policy Framework for Children and Young People 2023 – 2028.
282. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth for clarification on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5806/24]
View answerAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible. The Deputy will be aware that due to the ongoing industrial action by FÓRSA administrative and management grade staff in the HSE (which commenced on 6 October, 2023), delays remain in receiving answers to parliamentary questions and ministerial representations.
The HSE has been engaged with Fórsa through the auspices of the WRC in an effort to resolve the dispute but a resolution has not been reached as of yet.
283. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason an application for ECCE time extension exemption for a child (details supplied) was refused; whether the professional medical letter issued by the CDNT in support of the time extension was fully reviewed; whether this refusal will be reviewed and a time extension will be granted upon review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5808/24]
View answerThe Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme, funded by my Department, provides universal, free pre-school to children within the eligible age range of 2 years and 8 months to 5 years and 6 months. The upper age limit of 5 years and 6 months for ECCE was set in consultation with the Department of Education and ensures that children transition into primary school with their peers.
In a limited number of circumstances, it is possible to apply for an exemption to the upper age limit of 5 years 6 months where a child has special/additional needs.
Current policy requires that if a child is of school-going age, any request for an overage exemption to the ECCE programme must be supported by a letter from a medical specialist/social worker (not a GP/Public Health Nurse), specifically recommending why an ECCE service would meet the child’s specific needs in a more appropriate way than a primary school. This requirement is not intended to undermine the view of a parent or other in relation to a child's needs, but, rather, to maintain a clear and standard basis for applying exemptions.
The letter provided to support the application did not specifically recommend an additional year in ECCE or specifically state in the clinicians' views how the child referred would benefit by remaining in the ECCE programme instead of progressing to primary school with their peers.
In deciding on applications for exemptions to the ECCE age requirements, my Department is guided by a review of the over-age exemption process which was carried out in 2018 by the National Disability Authority (NDA) for this Department and the Department of Education.
In their published report, the NDA concluded that it is in the best interest of children with additional needs to transition to primary school with their age cohort.
Parents requiring additional supports for their child in a primary school setting should seek the assistance of the Department of Education and the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) in this regard.
284. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 334 of 25 January 2024, if he intends to expand use of section 5 of the Child Care Act 1991 to overcome lack of informed consent which impedes care for a separated child seeking international protection; if his Department is exploring amending provisions related to statutory care orders to give clear policy direction that allows for a separated child seeking international protection to be brought into care in the absence of informed consent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5815/24]
View answerThe Department's officials have informed me that this is being reviewed as part of the Child Care Act Amendment Bill (2023). The Pre Legislative Scrutiny (PLS) process has been completed and the report with some 90 recommendations is being considered by my Department as we progress drafting with the Office of Parliamentary Council.
Department's officials have been attending the recent Children's Rights Alliance (CRA) and Tusla stakeholder consultation meetings regarding review of the challenges set out by Tusla . As part of this consultation process informed discussions have taken place on how best to assist Tusla's Separated Children Seeking International Protection Team (SCSIP) with the on going demands on service provision. Part of the proposals put forward include reviewing of Section 5 provision and its application within the service. The Department is awaiting a report from the CRA with final observations and recommendations to carefully review same.
285. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 482 of 05 December 2023, when the question will be answered and the information sought be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5875/24]
View answerApologies to the Deputy for the delay with the reply to Parliamentary Question No. 482 of 5 December 2023.
A reply has been prepared and will issue to the Deputy very shortly.
286. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 469 of 14 December 2023, when the question will be answered and the information sought be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5876/24]
View answerApologies to the Deputy for the delay with the reply to Parliamentary Question No. 469 of 14 December 2023.
A reply has been prepared and will issue to the Deputy very shortly.
287. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if details on the filing needed from childcare providers to certify eligibility for core funding remain outstanding; and when the remaining information will be issued so that providers can comply with the deadline. [5889/24]
View answerProviders that had an active Core Funding Contract during the 2022/2023 Programme Year must provide validated Financial Returns as per their Core Funding Partner Service Funding Agreement.
Following constructive engagement with members and nominees of the Early Learning and Childcare Stakeholder Forum (ELCSF), including Childhood Services Ireland (CSI), Childminding Ireland, Early Childhood Ireland (ECI), the Association of Childhood Professionals Ireland (ACPI), the Federation of Early Childhood Providers (FECP), the National Childhood Network (NCN), the National Community Childcare Forum and Seas Suas, my officials have now finalised transitional arrangements for financial reporting to cover year 1 and year 2 of the scheme.
Financial reporting requirements in this transitional phase have been significantly simplified and streamlined. Specifically, in this transitional phase, the financial reporting requirement is for an income and expenditure report based on a significantly reduced set of Core Funding Chart of Accounts nominal codes, the sector has already been provided with the templates and guidance documents in relation to this.
This Income and Expenditure Report will need to be submitted onto an online reporting portal by either a qualified accountant from a registered practice or a registered professional (ACA, ACCA, CPA, CIMA) by March 22nd 2024.
My Department will be providing guidance to Partner Services in the coming weeks on how to access and upload the completed income and expenditure report.
My Department are also working on other supports for providers in preparing and submitting these returns, including training supports and targeted financial supports for those that may need it.
Officials from my Department will continue to engage with members and nominees of the ELCSF on this and have committed to continued engagement on future development to the financial reporting requirement under Core Funding from year 3 of the scheme.
288. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the estimated associated costs to reduce the national childcare scheme income threshold to €40,000; the estimated number of children that would potentially benefit from lowering the threshold and all other cost implications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5907/24]
View answerOfficials in my Department are currently experiencing temporary issues in accessing the ESRI SWITCH Model, which is required to model complex changes to the National Childcare Scheme.
Officials will revert to the Deputy directly as soon as possible once access is restored and an accurate estimate to the above scenario can be provided.
289. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of children’s disability service regional assessment hubs that have been established as of 31 January 2024; which CHO areas these cover; and the timeframe for the establishment of the remaining regional assessment hubs. [5933/24]
View answerAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
